COMPLETE STREETS FUNDING PROGRAM Photo credit: AARP Lou Rabito, P.E. MassDOT Complete Streets Engineer Eileen Gunn, MassDOT, Environmental Services
Complete Streets Funding Program Presentation Outline 1. Program Objectives 2. Program Snapshot 3. Community Compact 4. Program Framework! Tier 1, 2 and 3 5. Eligible Infrastructure 6. Model Policy Development and Scoring System Leading the Na 2
What is a Complete Street? Complete Streets Defined: A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible op6ons for all travel modes walking, biking, transit and vehicles for people of all ages and abili6es. Complete Streets improvements may be large scale such as corridor wide improvements or focused on the needs of a single mode. Mass Ave. Arlington 3
CS Funding Program Objectives for FY16 " Provide technical assistance and incentives for adoption of Complete Streets policies at the municipal level " Encourage municipalities to adopt a strategic and comprehensive approach to Complete Streets, rather than simply seeking funding for a single project, through Complete Streets prioritization plans " Facilitate better pedestrian, bicycle, and transit travel for users of all ages and abilities by addressing critical gaps in pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure, and safety " In distributing FY16 funding, reward municipalities who have committed to adopting Complete Streets best practices through the Community Compact Cabinet while assuring underserved municipalities are served equitably by the program as stated in the statute Leading the Na 4
CS Funding Program Snapshot # Three Tiers for entry into the Program # Planning Assistance to support CS Prioritization Plan Up to $50,000 available to any community (Reimbursable) # CS Construction Up to $400,000 (Reimbursable) # Eligible list of CS infrastructure and roadways. Design is not an eligible expense # $12.5M to be spent over the next two years (2016-17) # Full Program Guidance and Application Portal late January Leading the Na 5
A New Consideration: Community Compacts " On 1/23/2015 Governor Baker signed his first Executive Order creating the Community Compact Cabinet, to elevate the Administration s partnerships with cities and towns in the Commonwealth " A Community Compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker-Polito Administration and cities and towns; a community agrees to implement at least one best practice selected from across a variety of areas " Signatories to the Compact receive priority for specific Commonwealth technical assistance Leading the Na resources to help achieve the chosen best practice(s) 6
A New Consideration: Community Compacts " Complete Streets are included as one of the listed best practices " The Community Compact is administered by Mass. Dept. of Revenue s Division of Local Services " Information can be found at http://www.mass.gov/governor/administration/groups/ communitycompactcabinet/ Leading the Na 7
CS Funding Program Framework # Tier 1 Complete Streets Policy Development # Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Development # Tier 3 Project Approval and Notice To Proceed for construction Leading the Na 8
Tier 1 Complete Streets Policy Development and Training # Attend Training ~ A municipal employee is required to attend MassDOT Complete Streets 101 or 201 Training. # Pass a Complete Streets Policy ~ Municipalities submit a Complete Streets Policy for scoring. The Policy will need to be approved by the highest elected official or board with one public meeting. If policy scores of 80/100 or above, advance to Tier 2. Leading the Na 9
Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan # Seeks to have municipalities look holistically at CS needs, safety or network gaps, and develop hierarchy of funding priorities that align with local plans and roadway work. # Model spreadsheet format will be provided # Indicate how/why priority (bike, pedestrian, transportation plans, crash data, HSIP crash cluster data, safety audits). # Develop Schedule and Estimate (Timeline is flexible) # MassDOT will review for completeness, but not score Leading the Na 10
DRAFT CS Template 11
Tier 2 - Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Municipalities enter Tier 2 if they have attended training and: Option 2a $ Have an eligible policy (>80), and $ Want to submit their CS Prioritization Plan for review Option 2b $ Have an eligible policy (>80), and $ Want to request Technical Assistance (up to $50k) to develop the CS Prioritization Plan Option 2c $ Commit to adopting a policy (through letter of commitment to MassDOT) and developing a CS Prioritization Plan. $ Want to request Technical Assistance (up to $50k) to develop the CS Leading the Na Prioritization Plan 12
Tier 3 - Project Approval and Notice To Proceed # Municipality identifies projects from its Prioritization Plan for funding. # Municipality enters into a contract with MassDOT for reimbursement of funds. This should happen during Tier 2 if municipalities are seeking TA funding. # Municipality and District State Aid office will be notified of approved projects. # Municipality will then enter process similar to Chapter 90. Leading the Na 13
Eligible Roadways " Local Roads " Arterials " Collectors " Note: Project can enhance a programmed TIP project, but for larger projects, Federal aid eligible roads should follow TIP program process. 14
Eligible Infrastructure - Traffic & Safety " Street LighCng " Traffic calming measures " IntersecCon Improvements " Pedestrian signal Cming " Pavement markings or signage that provides guidance for alternacve modes " AddiCon of or widening of shoulders " AddiConal regulatory signing " Curbing 15
Eligible Infrastructure -Transit Facili?es " Improving transit conneccons for pedestrians " Transit signal prioriczacon " Bus pull-out areas " Railroad grade crossings improvements (signs, flange way fill, etc.) " Transit-only or Transit Contra-flow lanes " Transit shelter 16
Eligible Infrastructure - Pedestrian Facili?es " New sidewalks or sidewalk widening or repairs " New or improved crossing treatments at interseccons, midblock " ADA/AAB compliant curb ramps " Pedestrian buffer zones " Pedestrian Refuge Islands " Curb extensions at pedestrian crossings " Crosswalks " Accessible pedestrian signals " Detectable Warning Surfaces " Pedestrian wayfinding signs " Pedestrian plazas 17
Eligible Infrastructure - Bicycle Facili?es " New shared use paths or improvement of shared use paths (non-safety related) " Designated bicycle lanes/separated Bike Lane/Bicycle boulevards " Shared lanes (sharrows) " Advance stop facilices (bike box, two-stage turn box) " Bicycle parking on-street, at transit or other locacons " Provide bicycle-safe drainage grates " EliminaCon of hazardous condicons on shared use paths " Bicycle wayfinding signs/bike route signs 18
Model Policy Development # Ten Key Policy Elements # MassDOT provides guidance on the elements that should be addressed, however allows for flexibility in the specific language and commitment level. # Adopted policies are scored based on their stated level of commitment to aligning transportation infrastructure planning, design, construction and maintenance practices to CS principles. # Policies must achieve 80/100 possible points or above to be eligible for funding. MassDOT Guidance adapted from Smart Growth America 19
Model Policy Ten Elements 1. Vision & Intent What do you want your community to look like? Definitive intent. 2. Users and Modes Defining who the system serves, all ages and abilities 3. Projects and Phases Design, construction, maintenance? 4. Exceptions Where does the policy not apply? 5. Network Importance of connectivity 6. Jurisdiction - Who/what does it apply to? All funded projects Coordination with other entities? 7. Context Sensitivity One size does not fit all. Maintain community character 8. Design Guidance Committing to best practice and flexibility 9. Performance Measures - How do you measure progress? 10. Implementation Concrete steps to embed Complete Streets in procedures and practice 20
Complete Streets Policy Scoring (100pts) Vision 1. Vision and Intent (10 points) Core Commitment 2. Users and Modes 3. Projects and Phases 4. Exceptions (20 points) (15 points) (10 points) Best PracCces 5. Network (10 points) 6. Jurisdiction ( 5 points) 7. Design Guidance (10 points) 8. Context Sensitive ( 5 points) 9. Performance Measures ( 5 points) ImplementaCon Next Steps 10. Implementation Leading the Na (10 points) 21
Example MODEL POLICY LANGUAGE: EXCEPTIONS Exceptions to the Complete Streets Policy may be granted by the Town of East Anywhere Planning Board. Exceptions to the policy are as follows: 1. Transportation networks where specific users are prohibited by law, such as interstate freeways or pedestrian malls. An effort will be made, in these cases for accommodations elsewhere. 2. Where cost or impacts of accommodation is excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use. 3. Documentation of an absence of current and future need. 4. Routine maintenance of the transportation network that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, and spot repair. 22
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Resources and Links http://walkboston.org/resources/publications/low-cost-pedestrian-improvements https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/doingbusinesswithus/ ManualsPublicationsForms/SeparatedBikeLanePlanningDesignGuide.aspx 24
Resources and Links MassDOT Project Development and Design Guide https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/doingbusinesswithus/ ManualsPublicationsForms/ProjectDevelopmentDesignGuide.aspx Community Compact Cabinet http://www.mass.gov/governor/administration/groups/ communitycompactcabinet/ Design your own streets! - Streetmix.net Smart Growth America/National Complete Streets Coalition (Policy guidance) http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/ Walk Score information: https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and-neighborhoods/ Department of Public Health Mass in Motion Program -http:// www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/community-health/ mass-in-motion 25 April 2014
Build your own Complete Street! A context-sensitive design should begin with analysis of the contextual elements, such as environmental and community resources, of the area through which the roadway passes. 2006 PD&DG Urban context Free website tool go to: www.streetmix.net 26
Complete Streets Program Timeline % Complete Streets 101 Training December - March 2016 % Complete Streets 201 Training Spring 2016 % Final Program Guidance and Application Portal End of January 2016 % Tier 1 Rolling Policy Review and Scoring February Early June 2016 % Enter into Tier 2 Contract with MassDOT (4-8 weeks) Early March 2016 % Tier 2 CS Prioritization Plan review begins June - Nov 2016 % Tier 3 Project Review and Approval Early June 2016 % Enter into Tier 3 Contract with MassDOT and Begin Process with District State Aid Office (4-8 weeks) Early August 2016 % Projects under Tier 3 receive NTP (FY17) Early August 2016 (about 11 months to complete work) Example : Submit and get policy approved May 1, 2016 Finalized Tier 2 Contract with NTP to Prioritization Plan July 1, 2016 Finalize Tier 3 Contract after Prioritization Plan approval September 10, 2016 Project receives NTP for construction September 17, 2016 (Leaves about 9 months to complete project) 27
District Contacts Project Need Form and Project Initiation Form assistance: District 1 Lenox Sonja Gray Acting Project Development Engineer T: 413.637.5751 E: sonja.gray@state.ma.us District 2 - Northampton Paula Simmons Acting Project Development Engineer T: 413.582.0508 E: paula.simmons@state.ma.us District 3 - Worcester Arthur Frost Project Development Engineer T: 508.929.3837 E: arthur.frost@state.ma.us District 4 - Arlington Frank Suszynski Project Development Engineer T: 781.641.8474 E: frank.suszynski@state.ma.us District 5 - Taunton Pamela Haznar Project Development Engineer T: 508.884.4239 E: pamela.haznar@state.ma.us District 6 Boston Geri Vatan Acting Project Development Engineer T: 857.368.6115 E: geraldine.vatan@state.ma.us 28
District Contacts Pedestrian/Bicycle Coordinators District 1 Lenox Kate Masztal T: 413.637.5752 E: kate.masztal@state.ma.us District 2 - Northampton Laura Hanson T: 413.582.0589 E: laura.hanson@state.ma.us District 3 - Worcester Rick Handfield T: 508.929.3864 E: richard.handfield@state.ma.us District 4 - Arlington Misrak Sultan T: 781.641.8346 E: misrak.sultan@state.ma.us District 5 - Taunton Tim Kochan T: 508.884.4254 E: timothy.kochan@state.ma.us District 6 Boston Courtney Dwyer T: 857.368.6165 E: courtney.dwyer@state.ma.us Leading the Na 29
District Contacts MassDOT Headquarters: CompleteStreetsProgram@dot.state.ma.us District 1 Lenox Kathy Steven T: 413.637.5765 E: kathy.stevens@state.ma.us State Aid Engineers District 4 - Arlington Walter Kubik T: 781.862.1640 E: walter.kubik@state.ma.us District 2 - Northampton Daryl Amaral T: 413.582.0560 E: daryl.amaral@state.ma.us District 5 - Taunton Sean Sullivan T: 508.884.4221 E: sean.m.sullivan@state.ma.us District 3 - Worcester Michael O Hara T: 508.929.3944 E: michael.o hara@state.ma.us District 6 Boston Elie Roditi T: 857.368.6153 E: elie.roditi@state.ma.us Leading the Na 30